Toronto man keeps $35M jackpot win a secret for more than a month
For weeks, a recent Toronto college graduate sat quietly, waiting for the jackpot winning cheque that would seal his fate as a multi-millionaire.
Now, it’s official. The 29-year-old, Ginno Torres, received his $35-million Lotto Max cheque today after purchasing the jackpot winning ticket. He split the $70 million prize from the June 22 draw with another winner in British Columbia.
“I wanted to make sure it was real before I surprised my family and friends with this incredible news,” Torres said in an OLG press release, as he held his life-changing cheque for the first time at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
A few days after the draw, Torres walked into a store in his neighbourhood to check the results of his ticket. At first, he saw a lot of zeros.
“My stomach was in knots as I was thinking about what was happening,” Torres said.
Then, he went to another store to double-check that he did in fact win the jackpot. At the lottery terminal bells started going off. “I was numb,” Torres said, reflecting back on the still-shocking day.
Torres said he wants to take time to navigate how he plans to spend his multi-million dollar cheque, but his family, charity, travelling and a home redecoration are in the cards.
He said he is dedicating a portion of his winnings to charities, which the OLG press release described as “near and dear to his heart.”
Torres said he also plans on commissioning custom-made art from Canadian Indigenous artists and travelling the country. When it’s safe to venture further, Torres is eager to visit Europe and Asia.
But, he said his top priority is his loved ones. “I am going to make sure my family is taken care of and I will make some investments to make sure I am well taken care of long into the future,” Torres said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.